(March 11, 2011) Curtis On Tour begins a cross-country journey in Philadelphia on Monday, March 14 at 8 p.m. at the Curtis Institute of Music. Each season Curtis On Tour brings the extraordinary artistry of the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music to audiences nationwide, with tomorrow's leading musicians performing alongside celebrated alumni and faculty.

Piano faculty member Ignat Solzhenitsyn ('95) performs alongside Curtis students Kelly Coyle, clarinet, and Ayane Kozasa, viola, in the world premiere of Daron Hagen's ('84) Book of Days, a piece commissioned for the 2011 tour. Other offerings include works by Brahms and Kurtág and one of Mozart's beloved chamber compositions, the "Kegelstatt" Trio. The recital is free and takes place in Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street.

After the March 14 Philadelphia recital, the ensemble travels across the country in March and April, performing in venues ranging from Le Poisson Rouge in New York City to the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. Other stops include Davis, Calif.; Seattle; Rockport, Me.; Lexington, Va.; and Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa. A complete listing of tour performances, dates, and venues follows.

Curtis On Tour embodies the remarkable traditions of Curtis, where individually tailored study with a faculty of leading musicians has nurtured a long line of great performers, from such legends as Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein to current stars Juan Diego Flórez, Alan Gilbert, Hilary Hahn, Jennifer Higdon, and Lang Lang. One of the world's leading music schools, Curtis provides full-tuition scholarships to all of its 164 students, ensuring that admissions are based solely on artistic promise. Students at this intimate, Philadelphia-based conservatory "learn by doing," performing frequently and often collaborating side-by-side with their teachers. Curtis On Tour embodies this irresistible meeting of youthful exuberance and seasoned artistry.

Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m.
Mondavi Center, Davis, Calif.Presented by the Mondavi Center for the Arts, University of California, Davis
Ticket information at (530) 754-ARTS or www.mondaviarts.org

Tuesday, March 22 at 8 p.m.
Herbst Theatre, War Memorial Performing Arts Center, San FranciscoPresented by San Francisco Performances
Ticket information at (415) 392-2545 or www.performances.org

Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
The Henry Chapel, The Highlands, Seattle Presented by the Henry Chapel
Ticket information from jc@dylanbay.com (Re: "Curtis at Henry Chapel") or call (917) 941-3486

Tuesday, March 29 at 8 p.m.
Lenfest Center for the Arts, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.Presented by Washington and Lee University
Ticket information at (540) 458-8000 or www.wlu.edu/x18975.xml